Pair together again at home
Friends and neighbours Sue Montgomery and Ruth Pryce from Keynsham have always stuck together and are now living in the same care home.
The pair, who were neighbours for 20 years, can often be found singing with fellow residents around the piano or having lunch together in the kitchen at St Monica Trust’s Charterhouse Care Home in Keynsham.
“I feel very lucky to be here and it’s the best place for my lazy old bones,” said Sue. “The staff are all lovely, we want for absolutely nothing and being here with Ruth is the cherry on the cake.”
As well as being neighbours, Sue and Ruth attended the same church in Saltford and have a shared love of music.
“It’s amazing that we’ve ended up living next door to each other,” said Ruth. “From the first day I visited Sue, I’ve always felt part of the community here. We’ve all got to know each other very well and enjoy each other’s company.”
Sue, a former midwife, was one of the first residents to move into Charterhouse when it opened in 2019. “Because Sue’s family lives a long way away, Ruth would visit her and help support her with things like doctor’s appointments, shopping and taking her out on trips,” said Tunde Ujlaki, a care home supervisor. “During that time Ruth got to know everyone here very well, so when she felt it was time to move into a care home, we were delighted she decided to come here.”
A former head teacher at a primary school in Bedminster, Ruth has some ex-pupils among the care team at Charterhouse.
“One of our occupational therapists is an old pupil of Ruth’s and she always calls her ‘Mrs Pryce.’”
Ruth still likes to be in charge. “She is always organising activities for fellow residents,” said Tunde, “bringing us her ideas for the unit, organising pastoral care visits and if there’s a birthday, she will always be the one buying a card and getting all to sign it.”